I'm convinced that having squad mates with passive sensors around the good Colonel.

Squad 1:

This one is one I think about a lot, as there's so much that can be messed with, different missiles/torps/maybe even cannon options. And maybe it's just me, but Nu's are pretty good blockers/annoyances and they got a good bit of 'chunk' to be candidates for ruthless. Tossed clusters on Vess too just to deal with swarms and the like as well.

Squad 4:

Colonel Vessery (84)
Marksmanship (1)
Fire-Control System (2)
Autoblasters (2)

Maarek Stele (46)
Marksmanship (1)
Passive Sensors (3)
Afterburners (6)

Ved Foslo (45)
Marksmanship (1)
Passive Sensors (3)
Afterburners (6)
Total: 200

This one is pretty aggressive and I know how to fly x1s. 'Could' go for FCS and a 2 point bid, but it's rolling the dice a bit. I've had some success with Ved and a bunch of Sabers as his ability is pretty nifty for avoiding bumps and getting out of jams.

Anything else? that'll pair well. I'm not convinced double Defenders is there. They're just to expensive. (fingers crossed for triple passive sensors deltas one day am I right?)

Just remember that passive sensors only triggers and gets the TL when it's time for those ships to fire. So it either won't be there for Vess if they engage too early and want to spend it on their shot, or won't be there yet if Vess engages first. Not sure it's a good pairing for the Contemplative Commander, who ideally should engage first on a target locked ship so he gets his own and then his buddies are free when they engage to spend their locks on their shots. I still think some of these ships pair well with him, just don't think it's working with passive sensors.

Ah you got a point. I was thinking it triggered at the start of the engagement phase. Pretty much makes the idea sunk, except on Squads 2 & 4

Vessery prefers aggressive friends

The Inqys work well, flown the 3 together for a bit. FCS is the go to for them, that way they get the benefit of TL mods but can also keep his targets flagged.

You could go Targetting Computer and FCS in the Sigma build for 200. I don't know how that would perform though.

I find Inqys with FCS to be a bit depressing as they are to low Initiative to get TLs on their own. Passive really helps them. Think the Sigmas with Passive might be the best option in the end.

Wy not a "Countdown" or "Pure Sabacc" or even "Duchess" with Targeting Computer and Fifth Brother? They can flank and Lock. Each can engage before the Defender. Same for Vader and Maarek Stele. Vader especially is great with Passive Sensors. Also... Vermail with Krennic is quite interesting.

Maybe a:

1. "Pure Sabacc" - Targeting Computer, Fifth Brother, Optimized Prototype
2. Major Vermail - Director Krennic
3. Colonel Vessery - Juke/Outmaneuver

You are left with 0 or 1 point bid. All Initiative 4. All shoot three dice at the enemy. Both ships can trigger Vessery and he can strip tokens for Vermail. Striker can use his Focus results from Optimized Prototype for more than just Force > Crit.

8 hours ago, KingmanHighborn said:

I find Inqys with FCS to be a bit depressing as they are to low Initiative to get TLs on their own. Passive really helps them. Think the Sigmas with Passive might be the best option in the end.

While true of normal Inqs, I don't find this to be the case with Supers. They'll generally be fairly comfortable taking focus and lock while at R3, preferably hiding behind a rock. It's mainly just being careful with positioning and offering some bait.

They're excellent at range control, so they should have the means to ensure only the ship you lock has a shot on you, if that.

The key is that, rather than looking to win the 1st engage, I'm aiming to trade nothing and use it to set up favourable exchanges for the rest of the game instead. I don't mind having no shot, as long as I get my lock.

I've played a whole bunch with a pair of Supers and getting locks has never been a problem. A little tricky and comes with a small amount of risk, but it's just practice at spotting those windows of opportunity and getting the timing right.

The Sigmas could be good, but they may struggle to safely acquire the locks in the same way, I'm not sure they're quite as flexible. Getting caught with 2ag and no focus will be very bad news. Vessery really needs his wingmen alive as long as humanly possible, you just can't afford to risk losing one early.